Representative Goyke, Representative Wright, and Senator Lassa to Introduce “Lindsey’s Law” to Provide Greater Access to Services for Victims of Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
The legislation is currently being circulated for co-sponsorship and is supported by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
MADISON – Today Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee), Representative Mandy Wright (D-Wausau) and Senator Julie Lassa (D-Stevens Point) announced that they will be introducing legislation, named “Lindsey’s Law,” that will provide better access to counseling and mental health treatment for victims of sexual assault and remove the one-year application deadline for access to the Crime Victim Fund for victims seeking mental health services.
“Victims of crime are too often left with only the scars of the offense and no recourse to fully heal. This is particularly true for child victims and victims of sexually motivated crimes,” Representative Goyke said. “The uniquely vicious and intimate nature of sexually motivated crimes can cause lifelong psychological effects that may surface long after the crime was committed. Victims of sexually motivated crimes, especially child victims, deserve access to treatment and healing based on individual need, not arbitrary timelines.”
Representative Mandy Wright stated, “Very often, victims of these horrible crimes do not seek help and treatment until many years later. This occurs particularly with child victims, which is understandable. Because of this, Wisconsin should provide services for each individual when they are ready to fully heal, both mentally and physically.”
“Our criminal justice system must recognize that sexual assault victims face unique challenges in seeing justice done,” Senator Lassa said. “This bill will help ensure that victims of these horrific crimes can seek the help they need to begin to rebuild their lives.”
The legislation is currently being circulated for co-sponsorship and is supported by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
By Rep. Goyke, Rep. Wright and Sen. Lassa
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.